Stabilized pressure sensitive adhesive consisting of saturated polyester and vinyl chloride polymer



Jan. 24, 1967 s. TURNER STABILIZED PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE CONSISTING OF SATURATED POLYESTER AND VINYL CHLORIDE POLYMER Filed Aug. 17, 1961 INVENTOR. STA NLEV TURNER QLRESQOQ QMKMMS QQQ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,300,543 STABELHZED PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE CONSISTING OF SATURATED POLYESTER AND VINYL CHLORIDE POLYMER Stanley Turner, Costa Mesa, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Avery Products Corporation, San Marino, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Aug. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 136,126 17 Claims. (Cl. 260-835) This invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive and particularly to an adhesive resistive to the deteriorating effects of ultraviolet light. This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Serial No. 685,665, filed September 23, 1957, now abandoned.

One of the most common utilizations of pressure sensitive adhesives is as a coating on one side of a cloth or paper web. The adhesive-coated web may be produced in wide sheets for use as a protective covering for materials such as plastics or glass. It may also be produced in narrow strips conveniently wound in rolls for various household and industrial uses. For these purposes the pressure sensitive adhesive must have characteristics of good tensile strength and cohesion and must possess sulficient adhesiveness or tack to bind the web to another surface upon the application of pressure. Further, it must be removable from the other surface without deposition of a gummy residue.

Among pressure sensitive adhesives presently in common use, two problems are particularly troublesome. The first is that the adhesive is extruded from between layers of an adhesive coated web wound in a roll and forms a hardened coating binding the several layers together. This is known as cold flow. A second is. that the pressure sensitive adhesives now in existence deteriorate in the presence of ultraviolet light. Some adhesives become brittle and hard so as to become unusable and other adhesives become too fluid for use after exposure to such light.

The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive which, in addition to resisting the deteriorating effects of ultraviolet light, possesses excellent characteristics of cohesion and tensile strength without exhibiting cold flow. The adhesive of the present invention is the reaction product of a polyester of a saturated organic acid and a saturated polyhydric alcohol with a polyvinyl resin, the mixture containing a greater proportion of the polyester. It is generally preferred that the two reactants be combined in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin when the mixture of reactants is subjected to agitation at an elevated temperature. The reaction yields a product possessing properties of tack and tensile strength particularly suitable for use as a pressure sensitive adhesive.

While polyvinyl resins have in the past been combined with small amounts of polyesters, the polyesters in such compounds have been used only as plasticizers to increase the flexibility of the final product. The product of such a reaction is a thermoplastic possessing properties in no way similar to the product of this invention, which product results from combining a polyvinyl resin and a polyester in a mixture in which the polyester is present in the predominant amount. The pressure sensitive adhesive of the present invention is obtained when the mixture is agitated at an elevated temperature within the range from 140 C. to 220 C. A temperature within the range from 160 C. to 200 C. is presently preferred since a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive can be obtained from most of the polyester-polyvinyl resin systems within this temperature range. I

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. In the practice of the present invention, a polyester suitable for reaction with the polyvinyl resin is first produced and thereupon reacted with a suitable polyvinyl resin under the required reaction conditions. Where the pressure sensitive adhesive resulting from this reaction is to be applied as a film to a paper or cloth web, the reaction product is applied as a coating to a paper or cloth web as part of a continuous process.

Both linear saturated polyesters and branched saturated polyesters may be satisfactorily used. The reaction product of a saturated dicarboxylic acid and a saturated dihydric alcohol results in a saturated linear polyester which, dependent upon the ratio of the reactants, may be terminated by either carboxyl or hydroxyl groups, or both. Reaction of a glycol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butylene glycol; 2,3-butylene glycol; neopentyl glycol; 1,5-hexylene glycol; 1,5-pentanediol; 3-methyl pentanediol-1,5; and 2-ethylhexanediol with a dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic, azelaic, sebacic and isosebacic acids produces a polyester suitable for further reaction with particular polyvinyl resins.

The selected glycol and dicarboxylic acid are combined in such proportions as required to yield a polyester of desired molecular weight when an acid number of zero is approached or reached. Since some glycol loss occurs, an excess of the glycol sutiicient to compensate for the anticipated evaporative loss is initially added. Determi nations of the acid number as the reaction proceeds may be used as a control test.

The following are specific reactions by which preferred polyesters were obtained:

(1) Azelaic acid was combined with 1,3-butylene glycol in proportions sufficient to produce a polyester having an average molecular weight from 8500 to 8800 at a zero acid number. This polyester has a viscosity at 25 C. of 19,250 to 20,100 cps. and is the linear polyester product found best suited for use in the process of the invention.

(2) Isosebacic acid was combined with 1,3-butylene glycol in proportions sufiicients to produce a polyester having an average molecular weight from 8000 to 10,000 at a zero acid number. While this polyester is equal in properties to the azelaic acid polyester described in the preceding paragraph, it is more difiicult to process to a low acid number.

(3) Isosebacic acid was combined with neopentyl glycol in proportions sufiicient to produce a polyester having a molecular weight of about 6000 at a zero acid number.

In addition to the linear polyesters described above, a polyester having a branched structure suitable for the process of this invention may be obtained from the esterification of a monocarboxylic acid by treatment with a polyhydroxyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst such as lead oxide or lithium hydroxide. The reaction is allowed to proceed until esterification is substantially complete. Thereupon, a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid are added to the mixture and the reaction is continued until complete esterification is attained. Examples of-polyhydroxyl alcohols satisfactorily used in this reaction are trimethylol propane; trimethylol ethane; glycerol; pentaerythritol; and 1,2,6-hexanetriol. Examples of monocarboxylic acids used in this reaction are 2-ethylhexoic acid, Z-ethylbutyric acid, and caprylic acid. Examples of glycols satisfactory for this reaction are propylene glycol; 1,3-butylene glycol; 2,3-butylene glycol; neopentyl glycol; 1,5-hexylene glycol; 1,5-pentanediol; 3-methyl pentanediol-1,5; and 2-ethylhexanediol-1,3. Examples of dicarboxylic organic acids satisfactory for this purpose are adipic, azelaic, sebacic and isosebacic acids.-

It is apparent that the four required reactants may be combined in a large number of combinations. The following represent the proportion and the nature of reactants typical of those reactions by which polyesters, preferred for the process of the invention, were produced.

(1) The reaction of 8 mols trimethylol propane, 8 mols 2-ethylhexoic acid, 9 mols 1,3-butylene glycol, 16 mols azelaic acid produced a tacky, rubbery solid at 25 C. and a viscous fluid at 100 C.

(2) The reaction of mols trimethylol propane, 5 mols 2-ethylhexoic acid, 6 mols ne-opentyl glycol, mols adipic acid produced a firm tacky gel at 20 C. and viscous fluid at 50 C.

(3) The reaction of 10 mols 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 10 mols 2-ethylhex0ic acid, 11 mols 1,3-butylene glycol and 20 mols azelaic acid produced a rubbery, tacky gel at 20 C. and viscous liquid at 120 C.

(4) The reaction of 10 mols trimethylol propane, 10 mols Z-ethylhexoic acid, 11 mols 1,3-butylene glycol, and 20 mols azelaic acid produced a rubbery, tacky gel at 20 C. and a viscous liquid at 120 C.

(5) The reaction of 5 mols pentaerythritol, 10 mols Z-ethylhexoic acid, 11 mols 1,3-butylene glycol, and 15 mols azelaic acid produced a rubbery gel at C. and a viscous fluid at 140 C.

The polyester produced by these reactions must be a tacky, rubbery gel at 20 C. and a viscous fluid at less than 140 C. It is further required that the polyester be nonthermosetting. In general, any of the reactants previously enumerated may be substituted for a reactant of the same class provided the proportions of reactants are adjusted to provide the properties specified above. In particular, however, the mixture of trimethylol propane; 2-

ethylhexoic acid; 1,3-butylene glycol; and azelaic acid in weight less than 1000 are removed from the mixture by distillation.

For these mixtures, molecular distillation is particularly suitable. While these low molecular weight materials are thoroughly compatible with the polyester product, their presence is undesirable when the I polyester is utilized in the reaction with a polyvinyl resin. The presence of low molecular weight materials lowers the tack of the final product and leaves an objectionable residue on the surface to which the adhesive is applied.

This is because the low molecular weight materials migrate to the surface of the adhesive if they remainincorporated in the final product.

The polyesters prepared by either of the reactions set forth above are then reacted with a polyvinyl resin. The term polyvinyl resin as used herein refers to polyvinyl chloride and copolymers containing from -95% vinyl chloride, the balance being varying amounts and combinations of ester compounds, as, for example, vinyl esters, compounds containing carboxyl groups, and/or vinyl alcohol. While not so limited, the polyvinyl resin with which the polyester is reacted is generally a copolymer containing both vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. The reaction mixture must contain a preponderance of the polyester. Within this limitation, however, the proportion of a given polyvinyl resin in the reaction mixture may be varied, thereby affecting the tack and tensile strength of the final pro-duct.

The proportions of polyester and polyvinyl resin needed to produce a pressure sensitive adhesive of preferred characteristics depend both upon the particular polyester and polyvinyl resin combined. For example, a linear polyester prepared from the reaction of a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid is preferably combined with a polyvinyl resin containing approximately 91% by weight vinyl chloride and 9% by weight vinyl acetate, and having a molecular weight of about 25,000 in the following proportions based on weight: 70% polyester, 25% polyvinyl resin, 5% stabilizing compound. With a polyvinyl resin having a molecular weight of about 45,000 and containing by weight about 91% vinyl chloride and 9% vinyl acetate, a preferred mixture is compounded in the, following proportions based on weight: 75% polyester, 20% polyvinyl resin, 5% stabilizing compound.

When a branched chain type of polyester prepared by the reaction of a polyhydroxyl alcohol, a monocarboxylic acid, a glycol, and a dicarboxylic acid is combined with a polyvinyl resin containing by weight 91% vinyl chloride, 3% vinyl acetate, and 6% vinyl alcohol, and having a molecular weight from 15,000 to 18,000, a preferred mixture is compounded in the following proportions based on weight: 70% polyester, 25% polyvinyl resin, 5% stabilizing compound.

With the use of polyesters having either linear or nonlinear molecular structure, the proportions of polyester in the mixture may be varied from about 60% to about by weight and the proportions of polyvinyl resin may be varied from about 15% to about 40% by weight polyvinyl resin. As the concentration of polyvinyl resin is increased above 40%, the product becomes increasingly unsatisfactory as a pressure sensitive adhesive since its tensile strength becomes excessive and its tack becomes too low.

A number of commercial polyvinyl resins are available which may be satisfactorily used in the preparation of the pressure sensitive adhesive. Consistent with the proportions and limitations set forth above, the copolymers obtained from vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate and sold under the trademarks Vinylite VYNS-3 and Vinylite VYCM, and the copolymers obtained from vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, and vinyl alcohol. and sold under the trademark Vinylite VAGH may be satisfactorily used. Other examples of commercial polyvinyl resins which may be satisfactorily used are those sold under the trademarks Exon 450, Exon 471, Exon 481, and Exon 485. The polyvinyl resin used in the preparation of the adhesive of the present invention must remain compatible with the polyester so that subsequent to the reaction no separation of .the polyester and polyvinyl resin by migration occurs.

In general, the saturated polyester and polyvinyl resin are combined in the presence of a stabilizing agent. The term is used to described those compounds which act to absorb any hydrogen chloride released from the vinyl chloride during the reaction and which further act as an antioxidant by blocking unsaturated bonds formed by the release of the chlorine atom. A number of stabilizing compounds have been found suitable to satisfy these functions. These include alkali or alkaline earth Oxides, hydroxides, alcoholates, carbonates, or their fatty acid salts, such as lithium ricinoleate or barium ricinoleate or calcium stearate; alkyl and aryl tin compounds such as tin dilaurateor dibutyl 'tin dimaleate, and tin organic complexes; barium-cadmium organic complexes; lead stabilizers including dibasic lead phthalate, basic lead silicate sulfate, monohydrous tribasic lead sulfate, lead silicate, lead chlorosilicate complex, dibasic lead phosphite, tribasic lead maleate monohydrate, tetrabasic lead fumarate, lead stearate, and normal lead salicylate; and epoxy compounds such as 3,4-epoxy-6-methyl-cyclohexylmethyl-3,4- epoxy 6 methylcyclohexane carboxylate, 'l-epoxyethyl- 3,4-epoxycyclohexane, Bisphenol A (2,2-bis(4-hydroxy phenyl) propane) epichlorohydrin epoxy compounds, and methyl esters of epoxidated soy bean fatty acids. Combinations of two or more of the above-enumerated stabilizing compounds may also be employed.

While the stabilizing compounds set forth above perform satisfactorily the required function, dibasic lead phthalate, a mixture of dibasic lead phosphite and 3,4- epoxy 6 methylcyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxy-6-methyleyclohexanecarboxylate; a mixture of a tin organic complex and an epoxy compound, and tetrabasic lead fumarate have been found to be the stabilizing compounds which impart to the adhesive of the present invention the best resistance to ultraviolet light. The stabilizing compounds are-added in amounts up to about 5% by weight of the mixture of polyesters and polyvinyl.resin..-

In generaL-a suitable stabilizingcompound is added to the mixture of. polyester and-polyvinyl resin. However, when epoxy compoundsare utilized as stabilizing compounds, it has been found advantageous to react the appropriate epoxy stabilizing compound with a terminal carboxyl groupof a polyester, and then combine the epoxy polyester with the polyvinyl resin. Incorporation of the epoxy stabilizing compound in this manner prevents migration' of thestabilizing compound to the surface of the adhesive product. I h I Since thereaction of an epoxy stabilizing compound with the polyester results in a product of relatively high viscosity, it becomes necessary to maintain themolecular weight of the polyester within certain limits in order to keep the viscosity of the epoxy polyester product at a ,workable level.- Control, of molecular weight of thepolyester can be accomplished either by use of excess dibasic acid so that the polyester when completely reacted has a molecular weight of from 1000 to' 4000 per carboxyl igroup, or by useof a monofunctional acid or alcohol chain stopper in amounts such that the reacted polyester has an average molecular weight of from 1000 to 4000 per carboxyl group. When equal molar quantities of a dibasic acid and dihydric alcohol are reacted to produce the polyester, the reaction can be stopped when the acidnumber indicates that the polyester has an average molecular weight of from 1000 to 4000 per carboxyl group.

The following are examples of compounds prepared in which epoxy compoundswere initially reacted with polyestersn i Example 1 Apolyester was prepared by reacting mols azelaic acid and 9 mols of 'l,3'-,butylene glycol, and vacuum strippingthe product.v A polyesterhaving an average molecular weight of about 1388 per carboxyl group was obtained. 2775 parts of this polyester were added to 560 parts of 3,4 epoxy 6 methyleyclohexylmethyl 3,4 epoxy-6- methylcyclohexanecarboxylate. The mixture was heated for one hour at 180 C. with agitation and then passed through a molecular still having an evaporator temperature of 150 C. and 10* mm. Hg absolute pressure. A product having a zero acid number and containing 93% of the: theoretically possible epoxy groups was obtained.

Example 2 To 2775 parts of the polyester prepared as described in Example 1 were added 280 parts of 1-epoxyethyl-3,4- epoxycyclohexane and the mixture was treated as described in Example 1. The product had a zero acid number and contained 96% of the theoretically possible epoxy groups. I

Example 3 A polyester was preparedby reacting 6O mols adipic acid, 60 mols 1,3-butylene glycol, and 1 mol acetic anhydrid'e. The polyester obtained as the reaction product had an average molecular weight of 6210. per carboxyl group. To 6210 parts of polyester was added 140 parts of the epoxy compound used in Example 2. The product was treated as described in Example 1 and an epoxy polyester having a zero acid number and 97% of the theoretically possible epoxy groups was obtained.

Example 4 Example 5 A polyester -was..-preparedby reacting 8 mols sebacic acid, 8 mols 1,2-pr opylene gylcol, and 1 mol acetic anhydride. The resulting polyester, treated as described in Example 1, had a molecular weight of 1079 per carboxyl group. To 1079 parts of the polyester was added 340 parts of a Bisphenol A epichlorohydrin type epoxy compound. The mixture was reacted at 200 C. for one hour and purified as described in Example 1. The epoxy polyester had an acid number of 8.4 and 50% of the theoretically possible epoxy groups. In the production of the pressure sensitive adhesive 0 the present invention, the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range from about C. to about 220 C. The time required for the reaction to be completed varies with the particular polyester and polyvinyl resin, and varies from 6 minutes to 30 minutes. If the reaction time is allowed to proceed for more than 30 minutes, a thermosetting material is produced. The reaction time required for mixtures of polyvinyl resins and branched chain polyesters is considerably less than the reaction time required for mixtures of polyvinyl resins and linear polyesters.

While both physical and chemical reactions occur during the fusion of the mixture at elevated temperatures, the chemical reaction appears to be an ester exchange between the ester part of the polyvinyl resin and the polyester. The ester exchange is promoted by the catalytic effect of certain compounds which also act as stabilizing compounds. It .has been found that those stabilizing compounds previously enumerated in which lead is present are particularly effective as catalysts for promoting ester exchange. Esterexchange produces a generally superior pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with the present invention as it improves the compatibility of the polyesterpolyvinyl system and increases both the adhesion and cohesion of the adhesive. It is therefore desirable to add to mixtures incorporating a noncataly-tic stabilizing compound, such as, for example, the barium-cadmium organic complex and the tin organic complex, a catalytic stabilizing compound, such as the lead compounds pre viously enumerated or lithium ricinoleate. The latter has been found to be a particularly active catalyst in the polyester-polyvinyl resin system of the present invention.

It is to be understood that ester exchange is not essential to produce a usable pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with the present invention. For example, polyesters having a relatively large number of ester groups per unit molecular weight can be combined with a low molecular weight polyvinyl resin and a high molecular weight polyvinyl resin to produce a usable pressure sensitive adhesive without ester exchange. Exemplary of such polyesters are those prepared from adipic acid and propylene or butylene glycols and those prepared from azelaic acid and 10% to 15% phthalic acid, particularly isoor terephthalic acid. So that a workable viscosity is obtained, the molecular weight of these polyesters is preferably maintained between 3000 and 4000. A suitable low molecular weight polyvinyl resin is a vinyl chloride copolymer containing vinyl chloride and from 10% to 30% esters such as vinyl acetate or dialkyl maleate and having an intrinsic viscosity from 0.25 to 0.5. The high molecular weight polyvinyl resin in this system may be vinyl chloride alone or a copolymer containing up to 10% esters and having an intrinsic viscosity from 1.3 to 1.6. These reactants are combined in the following concentrations: 60 to 70 parts polyester, 25 to 30 parts low molecular weight polyvinyl resin, 5 to 10 parts high molecular weight polyvinyl resin, and up to 5 parts noncatalytic stabilizing compound.

Another system which does not require ester exchange but produces pressure sensitive adhesives in accordance with the present invention involves the reaction of epoxy polyesters prepared as previously described with polyvinyl resins containing carboxyl groups. Epoxy polyesters prepared as described in Examples 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 may be reacted with vinyl copolymers or vinyl terpolymers containing carboxyl groups such as acrylic acid, monoalkyl maleate, or fumarat'es. The reaction of the epoxy heated with agitation at 180 C. for 8 minutes.

part tin organic complex.

groups in the epoxy polyester with the carboxyl groups in the polyvinyl resin proceeds more rapidly than ester exchange and requires less stabilization. In general, the polyvinyl resins required for this system contain from 50% to 95% vinyl chloride, from 5% to 30% carboxyl groups, and from to 45% ester compounds. Where the amount of carboxyl groups in the polyvinyl resin is less than good adhesive properties are not obtained unless ester exchange catalysts are used.

The following are examples of products obtained by the reaction of epoxy polyester compounds and polyvinyl resins including carboxyl groups.

Example 6 70 parts of an epoxy polyester prepared as described in Example 1 was reacted with 25 parts of a-vinyl terpolymer having 60% vinyl chloride, 28% monoethylmaleate, and 12% diethylmaleate, and 5 parts polyvinyl chloride having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.58. Themixture was The resulting adhesive had an average pull strength of 840 grams per inch of width at one foot per minute pulling speed. I I

Example 7 and produced pressure sensitive adhesives having pull strengths of 960 and 985 grams per inch, respectively.

Example 8 i 75 parts of an epoxy polyester prepared as described in Example 2 was reacted with 25 parts of the vinyl copolymer described in Example 7 in the presence of one The reaction occurred at 190 C. for minutes and produced a product having a pull strength of 630 grams per inch.

Example 9 75 parts of the epoxy polyester prepared as described in Example 5 was reacted with parts of the vinyl copolymer described in Example 7 in the presence of two parts tin organic complex. The reaction was at 190 C. for 25 minutes and produced a product having a pull strength of 870 grams per inch.

Example 10 75 parts of an epoxy polyester prepared as described in Example 1 was reacted with 25 parts of a polyvinylresin consisting of approximately 92% vinyl chloride and 8% acrylic acid and having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.94 in the presence of one part tin organic complex stabilizing compound. The reaction was at 180 C. for 10 minutes and produced a pressure sensitive adhesive having a pull strength of 560 grams per inch.

Since continued heating of the epoxy polyester-carboxyl group containing polyvinyl resin mixture can result in gelling of the system where the carboxyl groups in the polyvinyl resin are in excess of 5%, heating time of the mixture must be regulated, and is generally limited to less than minutes. While the reaction can be carried out in the temperature range from 140 C. to 200 C., a temperature in the range from 180 C. to 190 C. is presently preferred for this reaction.

Where a continuous process is desired for the production of the pressure sensitive adhesive, it is preferred that equipment particularly designed for the purpose be used in order that the number of process steps be reduced to a minimum. It is to be understood that the pressure sensitive adhesive of the invention is not limited to such equipment and that the equipment described is illustrative only of means conveniently adapted to its production. In the accompanying figure, the process as applied to the production of an article of manufacture comprising a paper or cloth web coated on one side with the pressure sensitive adhesive of the present invention is schematically represented.

"about C. to about 220 C. It'also provides a high shear type of agitation necessary to carry the reaction to completion. Further, by controlling the rate of throughput of the mixture, it insures that the mixture is subjected to the required conditions of temperature and agitation for the requisite time.

In an extruder particularly well adapted for use with this process, a constant pitch, variable root type screw is' used, the screw having'arelatively large ratio'of root diameter to bore diameter} -It is operated from 2 to 3 times therevolutions per minute of the typical plastic extruder. The large ratio of root to borediarneters is required because the viscosityof the reacting-mixture at the temperature of 140 C. to 220 C. is far below that of any ordinary plasti'c'mixture. The high speed of rotationis required so that adequate-agitationxofthe mixture occurs.

*.the adhesive are finished to a high polish so thatzall All-surfaces of the screw contacting material isdischarged without hold-up in the extruder. .The' reacted material passes from the extruder through a short manifold 12to. the end of a sheetextrusion -die 13. The cross-sectional area of the manifold and the die are kept to a minimumso that a high velocity: of

The reaction product-is extruded through an opening 14 in the die. The opening is essentially a slit approximately 0.01 inch thick. The temperature of the material as it leaves the opening in the die is approximately 180 C. It "passes from the die to a chrome-plated steel roll 15 which is maintained at a temperature of 200 C. The speed of this steel roll is regulated so as to maintain the film thickness of the reactionproduct between 0.002 to 0.004 inch. The additional heat from the steel roll transmitted to the film further reduces the viscosity ofthe film so that it may be wiped onto another. surface.

A" silicone rubber roll '16 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation of the steel roll. A paper 'or'cloth web 17 is drawn by the silicone roll so that the'film of adhesive on the steel roll is wiped off on the web.- The web with the adhesive film is then removed by an appropriate means (not shown) where it is cooled and wound in rolls. 7

The pressure sensitive adhesive of the present invention offers several unique advantages. When applied to a paper or cloth web and rolled so that the adhesive is between 'layers of the web no cold flow of the adhesive occurs. In addition, when the adhesive is exposed to ultraviolet rays, such as those found in sunlight, it effectively resists the deteriorating eifects of these rays and ature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. a saturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated monocarboxylic and dioarbo-xylic acids and a polyhydric alcohol, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers'having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyester and from about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin, said pro-duct including a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved firom the polyvinyl resin.

'2. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C.'to 220 C. asaturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated monocarboxylic and dlCBlI'bOXYllC acids and a polyhydric alcohol, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, with a polyvinyl resin consistinggof at least 50% vinyl chlo ride, the balance com-prising components selected from the group consisting-f esters and vinyl alcohol in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyester and firom about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

3. Pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with claim 2 in which the stabilizing compound is a lead compound selected from the group consistin of dibasic leald'phthalate, basic lead sulfate, lead silicate, lead chlorosilicate complex, dibasic lead phosphite, tribasic'lead malea-te monohydrate, tetr-abasic lead fumarate, lead stearate, and normal lead salicylate.

4. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. a saturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and a polyhydric alcohol, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, with a polyvinyl resin consisting of at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin and a catalyst that promotes ester exchange, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyester and from about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

5. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by first reacting a saturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and a polyhydric alcohol with an epoxy compound to form an epoxy polyester, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, and by then reacting the polyester at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, the second reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyester and firom about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

6. Pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with claim 5 in which the epoxy compound is 3,4-epoxy-6methylcyclo hexylmethyl 3,4 epoxy G-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate.

7. Pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with claim 5 in which the epoxy compound is l-epoxyethy-l-3,4- epoxycyclohexane.

8. Pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with claim 5 in which the epoxy compound is a Bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin compound.

9. A pressuresensitlve adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by first reacting a saturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated monoca'rboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and a polyhydric alcohol with an epoxy compound to form an epoxy polyester, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, and by then reacting the epoxy polyester at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 200 C. with a polyvinyl resin containing between 5% and 30% by Weight carboxyl groups, the second reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to polyester and from about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

10. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by reacting at a temperature in the range from C. to 220 C. a saturated polyester of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of saturated .monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and a polyhydric alcohol, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, with a low molecular weight polyvinyl resin and a high molecular weight polyvinyl resin in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resins, the latter being selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected firom'the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 70% polyester, from about 20% to 30% low molecular weight polyvinyl resin, from about 5% to 10% high molecular weight polyvinyl resin, and up to about 5% stabilizing compound.

11. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by first reacting an organic acid selected firom the group consisting of saturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with a polyhydric alcohol to form a mixture of polyesters and distilling the mixture of polyesters to remove any unreacted material and polyesters having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. the distilled mixture of polyesters with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of 'vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, said product including a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved firorn the polyvinyl ohloride, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyesters and firom about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

12. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. a saturated polyester of a glycol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butylene glycol; 2,3-butylene glycol; neopentyl glycol; 1,5-hexylene glycol; 1,5-pentanediol; 3-methyl pentanediol-l,5; and Z-ethylhexanediol-lj and a saturated dicarboxy-lic organic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic, azelaic, sebacic, and isosebacic acids, said polyester having a molecular weight greater than about 1000, with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopoilymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, said product including a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyesters and from about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

13. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by reacting at a temperature in the range firom 140 C. to 220 C. a saturated polyester of 1,3butylene glycol and azelaic'acid with a poly'vinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin, the reaction mixture containing by weight from about 60% to 90% polyesters and from about to 40% polyvinyl resin.

14. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially oi? the product obtained by first reacting 1,3- butylene glycol with azelaic acid to form a mixture of linear polyesters and distilling the mixture to remove any unreacted material and esters having a molecular weight less than about 1000 to produce a mixture of linear polyesters having an average molecular Weight from about 8600 to about 8800, and by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C. said linear polyesters with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the

balance comprising components selected firom the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol, said product including a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl chloride,

the reaction mixture containing by weight from about consisting of Z-ethylhexoic, Z-ethylbutyric, and caprylic acids, adding to the mixture a glycol selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol; 1,3-butyle1ne glycol; 2,3-butylene glycol; neopentyl glycol; 1,5hexylene glycol; 1,5-pentanediol; 3-methylpentanediol-1,5; and 2- etlhylhexanediol-LB and a saturated dicarboxyl-ic organic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic, azelaic, sebvacic, and isosebacic and allowing the reaction to continue to completion to form a mixture of polyesters,

said mixture being substantially free of esters having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and by reacting at a temperature in the range from 140 C. to 220 C.

said polyesters with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopoly mers of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl resin, the reaction mixture containing by Weight from about to %v polyesters and from about 10% to 40% polyvinyl resin.

16. A pressure sensitive adhesive which consists essentially of the product obtained by first reacting t-rimethylol propane and Z-ethylhexoic acid until esterification is substantially complete, adding 1,3-butylene glycol and azelaic acid to the mixture and esterifying the mixture, and distilling the mixture to remove any unreacted material and esters having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and by reacting at a temperature inthe range irom C. to 220 C. the remaining polyesters with a polyvinyl resin selected from the group consisting of homopolyrners of vinyl chloride and copolymers having at least 50% vinyl chloride, the balance comprising components selected from the group consisting of esters and vinyl alcohol in the presence of a stabilizing compound that is an acceptor for hydrogen chloride evolved from the polyvinyl chloride, the reaction mixture containing by weight from 60% to about 90% polyester, from about 10% to about 40% polyvinyl resin, and about 5% stabilizing compound.

17. Pressure sensitive adhesive in accordance with claim 16 in which the polyvinyl resin contains by Weight 91% vinyl chloride, 3% vinyl acetate, and 6% vinyl alcohol, the resin having an average molecular weight from about 15,000 to about 18,000.

References Cited by the Examiner MURRAY TILLMAN, Primary Examiner.

*MILTON STERMAN, WILLIAM H. SHORT,

Examiners.

T. D. KERWIN, P. LIEBERMAN,

V Assistant Examiners. 

1. A PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF THE PRODUCT OBTAINED BY REACTING AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE FROM 140*C. TO 220*C. A SATURATED POLYESTER OF AN ORGANIC ACID SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SATURATED MONOCARBOXYLIC AND DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND A POLYHYDRIC ALCOHOL, SAID POLYESTER HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT GREATER THAN ABOUT 1000, WITH A POLYVINYL RESIN SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HOMOPOLYMERS OF VINYL CHLORIDE AND COPOLYMERS HAVING AT LEAST 50% VINYL CHLORIDE, THE BALANCE COMPRISING COMPONENTS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ESTERS AND VINYL ALCOHOL, THE REACTION MIXTURE CONTAINING BY WEIGHT FROM ABOUT 60% TO 90% POLYESTER AND FROM ABOUT 10% TO 40% POLYVINYL RESIN, SAID PRODUCT INCLUDING A STABILIZING COMPOUND THAT IS AN ACCEPTOR FOR HYDROGEN CHLORIDE EVOLVED FROM THE POLYVINYL RESIN.
 5. A PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF THE PRODUCT OBTAINED BY FIRST REACTING A SATURATED POLYESTER OF AN ORGANIC ACID SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SATURATED MONOCARBOXYLIC AND DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND A POLYHYDRIC ALCOHOL WITH AN EPOXY COMPOUND TO FORM AN EPOXY POLYESTER, SAID POLYESTER HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT GREATER THAN ABOUT 1000, AND BY THEN REACTING THE POLYESTER AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE FROM 140*C. TO 220*C. WITH A POLYVINYL RESIN SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HOMOPOLYMERS OF VINYL CHLORIDE AND COPOLYMERS HAVING AT LEAST 50% VINYL CHLORIDE, THE BALANCE COMPRISING COMPONENTS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ESTERS AND VINYL ALCOHOL, THE SECOND REACTION MIXTURE CONTAINING BY WEIGHT FROM ABOUT 60% TO 90% POLYESTER AND FROM ABOUT 10% TO 40% POLYVINYL RESIN. 